8 Anime Like Cowboy Bebop

In a world ravaged by destruction, a mythical figure emerges, shrouded in mystery and terror: Vash the Stampede, a man with a staggering 60 billion dollar bounty on his head. Rumors portray him as a ruthless destroyer, leaving death and devastation in his wake. However, the truth is far more complex. Vash, a self-proclaimed pacifist, claims to have never taken a life and goes to great lengths to avoid violence. His eccentricities, including an unhealthy obsession with doughnuts, belie a deeper sense of vulnerability. As Vash navigates the unforgiving landscape of Gunsmoke, he is pursued by Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson, two insurance agents tasked with containing the chaos he unleashes. But their efforts are soon overshadowed by a sinister plot, as a group of legendary assassins is dispatched to exact a terrible revenge on the trio. As Vash's troubled past begins to unravel, his moral compass is put to the test, threatening to upend his very existence.

In a distant corner of the galaxy, a charismatic space traveler named Dandy embarks on a series of eccentric adventures, driven by his insatiable craving for the cosmos' most coveted culinary destination: the legendary BooBies diner. Alongside his trusty companions, QT, a resourceful vacuum cleaner robot, and Meow, a feline-like alien with a penchant for mischief, Dandy navigates the vast expanse in his reliable spaceship, the Aloha Oe. As they soar through the stars, their path is fraught with unpredictable perils, romantic misadventures, and mind-bending cosmic conundrums. Meanwhile, the sinister Dr. Gel of the Gogol Empire lurks in the shadows, seeking to thwart Dandy's exploits and maintain his own nefarious agenda.

In the city of Kansai, where technology and innovation reign supreme, a shadowy underworld of outlaws lurks in the shadows. These notorious fugitives, known as Akudama, operate outside the law, their reputations forged in the fire of heists and mayhem. As the clock ticks down to the public execution of Cutthroat, a notorious Akudama with a body count of 999, the Kansai police seem poised to bring order to the chaos. But a cryptic message sets in motion a chain of events that will bring together the most feared and formidable Akudama in a deadly game of cat and mouse. With a tantalizing sum of money on the line, the stakes are high, and the stage is set for a bloody showdown that will shake the very foundations of Kansai.

In the year 2075, humanity has made tremendous strides in space travel, with the moon now a bustling hub of commerce and exploration. Among the throngs of space-faring citizens is Ai Tanabe, a bright-eyed and ambitious individual who joins the Debris Section of Technora Corporation. This underappreciated department is tasked with the crucial job of clearing the vast expanse of space junk between the Earth and Moon, a responsibility often overlooked by the rest of the corporation. As Ai navigates her new role, she encounters a cast of characters who are just as quirky as they are dedicated to their work. There's Philippe, the affable but hapless chief clerk, Edelgard, the enigmatic and reserved temp worker, and Hachirouta, the fiery and passionate engineer who dreams of commanding his own spaceship. Despite the Debris Section's humble circumstances – they're forced to operate out of a rickety old vessel nicknamed the "Toy Box" – Ai finds herself drawn to the camaraderie and sense of purpose that defines her new colleagues. Through the lens of space travel, Planetes explores the universal hopes and dreams that unite us all, as ordinary people strive to make their mark on the vast and wondrous cosmos.

In the aftermath of a devastating attack, childhood friends Kafka Hibino and Mina Ashiro made a solemn promise to join the Defense Force, a formidable organization dedicated to safeguarding Japan from colossal, city-destroying monsters known as kaijuu. Years later, Kafka, now a 32-year-old, has all but abandoned his aspirations of heroism, instead devoting himself to cleaning up the remnants of defeated kaijuu. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Reno Ichikawa, a bright-eyed young man consumed by his own dreams of becoming a Defense Force warrior. As Kafka and Reno find themselves entangled in a fateful encounter with a rogue kaijuu, the former's heroic instincts are reignited, and he bravely rescues Reno from certain doom. Yet, his selfless act comes at a great cost, leaving him severely injured. During his convalescence, Kafka is beset by another kaijuu attack, which imbues him with the extraordinary ability to transform into a humanoid kaijuu, wielding the immense strength and powers of the monsters he once fought. Renamed "Kaijuu No. 8" by the military, Kafka is determined to harness his newfound gifts for the greater good. United by their respect for one another, Kafka and Reno join forces, striving to join the ranks of fearless warriors like Mina, who have dedicated their lives to defending Japan against the kaijuu menace.

In a futuristic Japan, the pursuit of justice has taken a drastic turn. The Sibyl System, a cutting-edge technology, evaluates citizens' mental states to detect the slightest hint of malicious intent, known as their Psycho-Pass. Inspectors, backed by lethal force, silence potential threats, while Enforcers - individuals who've teetered on the brink of criminality - carry out the Inspectors' dirty work in exchange for relative freedom. Newcomer Akane Tsunemori, a young and idealistic Inspector, partners with veteran Enforcer Shinya Kougami. As they navigate the complex web of justice, Akane begins to question the Sibyl System's infallibility. She soon discovers that the system's judgments are not as objective as she once believed, and that the line between right and wrong is far more blurred than she ever could have imagined. As Akane grapples with the true nature of justice, she finds herself torn between her duty to uphold the law and her growing unease with the system's moral implications. Can she find a way to balance her ideals with the harsh realities of the world, or will the Sibyl System's corruption ultimately consume her?

In the wake of the seemingly random "Careless Monday" missile strikes, Japan's citizens returned to their daily routines, unaware of the chaos that was about to ensue. For Saki Morimi, a bright and cheerful college student, life took an unexpected turn during her graduation trip to the United States. After being rescued from a precarious situation by the enigmatic Akira Takizawa, Saki's world was forever changed. Takizawa, a charismatic but troubled individual, was found stark naked and suffering from amnesia, with a cell phone loaded with a staggering 8.2 billion yen in digital cash. As Saki becomes increasingly entangled in Takizawa's life, she finds herself drawn into a complex web of mystery and suspense. With each new revelation, she begins to unravel the threads of a sinister plot that threatens to destroy the world. Meanwhile, Takizawa's memories slowly return, hinting at a connection to the mysterious events of "Careless Monday." As he navigates this treacherous landscape, he must confront the dark forces driving the chaos, all while grappling with his own troubled past. As the stakes escalate, Saki and Takizawa find themselves at the forefront of a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where the boundaries between reality and illusion blur. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, they must work together to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic cell phones, the sinister forces manipulating the game, and the true extent of Takizawa's connection to the fateful "Careless Monday."

In the year 2010, the Holy Empire of Britannia has established itself as a formidable force, its conquest of Japan a mere precursor to a broader campaign of domination. The Japanese people, now rebranded as Area 11, fight back against their oppressors with every ounce of strength they possess. Amidst this turmoil, Lelouch Lamperouge, a Britannian student, finds himself at the mercy of fate as he's caught in the crosshairs of both the Britannian military and the Area 11 rebels. His life is forever changed when a mysterious girl named C.C. intervenes, gifting him the extraordinary ability known as Geass, the "Power of Kings." This newfound power allows Lelouch to command absolute obedience from others, and he seizes the opportunity to exact revenge against Britannia as the enigmatic masked vigilante, Zero. With his newfound abilities, Lelouch sets out on a perilous quest to topple the Britannian Empire and reclaim his homeland's freedom.